No trams will run between Piccadilly and Piccadilly Gardens between June 22, and July 9, due to essential track replacement work taking place. London Road will also be closed southbound between Store Street and Fairfield Street.

The works are part of a major coordinated programme taking place this summer to maintain and improve the Metrolink system to ensure tram journeys in Greater Manchester remain safe, reliable and accessible.  A bus replacement service will operate between Piccadilly and Piccadilly Gardens. A signed walking route, taking around five minutes, will also be put in place between the two stops.

​Trams on the Ashton line will operate between Ashton and Piccadilly station. Passengers wanting to make an onward journey will need to walk or use the bus replacement service to Piccadilly Gardens . London Road will be closed to traffic leaving the city centre where the Metrolink tracks cross the street close to Piccadilly station. Increased traffic is anticipated on Fairfield Street, Store Street, Princess Street, Newton Street and the inner ring road.

A signed diversion will be in place for all traffic heading away from the city centre via Portland Street and Princess Street with an alternative diversion via Store Street. To mitigate the impact on some of Greater Manchester’s busiest and most frequent bus services, buses that normally use London Road to leave the city centre will be routed to avoid congestion hotspots via Chorlton Street and Fairfield Street.

There will be plenty of signage on affected bus stops to direct customers to alternatives. During the first few days of the closure, staff will also be on hand to give customers help and advice. Cyclists will also be required to follow the signed diversion route or dismount and follow pedestrian routes.​

Pete Sommers, TfGM’s Metrolink Director, said: “Thousands of journeys are made on Metrolink every day of the week, which is why we’re always working to keep our passengers safe and Greater Manchester moving. During these essential works, we will be doing everything we can to keep disruption to a minimum with replacement bus services and signed diversions for vehicles and pedestrians.”

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A new pedestrianised bridge at Liverpool Waters has been officially opened, providing new access along the Liverpool waterfront, connecting Princes Dock with Central Dock and the new Isle of Man ferry terminal at Central Docks.

Completion of the £340,000 bridge refurbishment project, which has been part-funded by Section 106 money, comes ahead of the opening of the much-anticipated new £70m Isle of Man ferry terminal, located at Liverpool Waters.

The bridge forms a critical link within Peel Waters’ growing Liverpool Waters district, connecting the pedestrian and cycleways at Princes Dock with Central Docks. It is part of a long term vision to eventually open up access along the entire Liverpool waterfront from Aigburth right through to Bramley-Moore Dock, the site of Everton FC’s new stadium.

As part of the refurbishment of the new bridge, waterside regeneration specialist, Peel Waters, has preserved and retained the historic lock gates, which sit on either side of the dock.

Chris Capes, Development Director for Liverpool Waters, said: “With a thriving business and residential community, a growing leisure industry at Princes Dock, the new Isle of Man ferry terminal, and a brand new £100m residential neighbourhood under development at Central Docks, this bridge forms a critical link at Liverpool Waters. By connecting existing pedestrian and cycleways, the bridge will also encourage active and sustainable travel along the whole of the Liverpool waterfront, which is an important part of our long term plan for the regeneration of Liverpool’s historic waterfront.”

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South stand view of the proposed stadium

Everton FC has signed a multi-year agreement that will see HPE Aruba Networking, a provider for enterprise network infrastructure, become an Official Supplier of Everton Stadium, providing a secure and intelligent networking infrastructure solution, including WI-FI access for fans.

The system, currently being installed at the club’s new £760m waterfront home, will include switches, access points, WI-FI and wired network management and security software, as well as network design, management and monitoring services.

HPE Aruba Networking is a business unit of Hewlett Packard Enterprise and a provider of next generation networking solutions. The deal means the global edge-to-cloud company will provide a comprehensive networking infrastructure across the footprint of the Blues’ new 52,888-capacity home.

Richard Kenyon, Chief Commercial and Communications Officer at Everton, said: “Working with HPE Aruba Networking will give Everton Stadium a best-in-class Wi-Fi network infrastructure. Their expertise in networking some of the biggest venues in the UK, Europe and North America will be important as we develop the digital infrastructure and potential of Everton Stadium.”

Mark Weeks, director of UK & Ireland, HPE Aruba Networking, said: “We know that technology is a key element to every fan experience, from the point when they enter the stadium, at times when they want to share their excitement with loved ones outside of the stadium, at half-time, when leveraging local services like restaurants and bars, and even after the match has ended. HPE Aruba Networking’s custom-designed and reliable network infrastructure enables Everton to stay connected with their fans throughout their matchday experience and beyond, helping the club create a modern, interactive matchday experience.”

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United Utilities has announced a further 18 partners who will help to deliver the largest environmental programme in the North West in more than a century, if the company’s ambitious business plan is approved.

After recently announcing seven partners who will help to deliver major infrastructure projects for the company between 2025 and 2030, the 18 announced today are detailed design and build organisations. Following a competitive tender process, AE Yates, Barhale, Bethell, Eric Wright Civils, Forkers, Murphy, Network Plus, Sapphire, United Living and Ward and Burke will be working with United Utilities on projects to improve its network infrastructure.

Avove, bWGM, Eric Wright Water, Ross-Shire, Glanua, Lagan Infrastructure, Mott MacDonald Bentley, and Stonbury will be working on projects to improve process treatment facilities.

The value of the work is around £2.75bn and will help to reduce storm overflow activations as well as upgrading water and wastewater treatment plants across the North West.

United Utilities has submitted a £13.7bn investment plan for 2025-2030 to regulator Ofwat aimed at delivering cleaner rivers, more reliable water supplies and improvements to services for customers, communities and the environment.  Jane Simpson, Capital Delivery Director at United Utilities, said: “We’re really pleased to have chosen 18 great partners who will complement the seven partners that we have already announced to help deliver our ambitious plans and transform our infrastructure across the region.”

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Out2GolfUK members

American Golf has announced a strategic partnership with LGBTQIA+ golfing society Out2Golf UK.

In alignment with its recently launched ‘Game Changers’ campaign, Warrington-based American Golf is celebrating a new generation of golfing pioneers who are opening the sport to a diverse range of players. The alliance marks a significant milestone in fostering diversity and engagement within the golfing community.

Scott Taylor, Marketing and CRM Director for American Golf, said: “This partnership with Out2GolfUK underscores our commitment to making golf more inclusive and accessible to all. Our Game Changers campaign and this new alliance both highlight our dedication to broadening the appeal of golf and celebrating those who are breaking down barriers within the sport.”

Out2Golf UK was founded in 1996 to build a community that allows members to share their love of golf with other LGBTQIA+ people. Tom Lucas, Out2GolfUK secretary, said: “Partnering with American Golf is a tremendous opportunity for Out2GolfUK. Their support will enable us to reach more golfers and foster a more inclusive community by showcasing that golf is open to all people. It will help us break down barriers and make golf more inclusive. We have a flourishing membership that has grown by over 90% in 2024 already and this partnership will only help our future growth.”

Yvonne Hollis, Out2GolfUK Captain, said: “Having a partnership with American Golf will only help us promote the society and showcase how all groups are welcome to enjoy golf and join our society. We pride ourselves on being fun, friendly and welcoming for all across our community. Plus, we welcome allies and just fun loving golfers. It is a great safe place to connect, meet friends, play golf and just be comfortable being yourself. Golf is a social sport afterall.”

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New uniforms worn by Liverpool One staff

Branded merchandise and apparel firm, Infinity Inc, has unveiled new uniforms to be worn by staff members at one of Europe’s leading retail and entertainment destinations, Liverpool One.

Infinity Inc was awarded the contract to supply branded uniforms by real estate services company Savills UK. It has worked with global real estate services provider Savills for more than four years. Savills acts for Liverpool One owners, Grosvenor Group, on the food, beverage and leisure leasing side of the business.

The contract sees the supply of a wide range of branded garments for their guest services, security, waste management and cleaning teams with each team uniform consisting of colour co-ordinated items to identify which team each staff member represents. To meet the brief, the Infinity Inc team reviewed personal insight gained from colleagues and completed multiple wearer trials to ensure all garments provided were comfortable and practical.

Infinity Inc founder and CEO, Darren Cohen, said: “Following previous success at the Trafford Centre, working with another successful Savills destination is great for our ongoing relationship and the scale of the Liverpool One contract aligns perfectly with our strengths as a uniform supplier.”

Jen Davies, operations director at Liverpool One, said: “To complement a new team structure, we wanted our team members to feel comfortable and proud when wearing the Liverpool One uniform and ensure inclusivity across our teams. Our uniform provision required improvement and Infinity Inc’s online ordering portal fits seamlessly into our working practices.”